NovelEnglish
Bradley meandered through the streets of Capitus without a clear destination until a captivating scent reached him
—a fusion of various spices blending harmoniously. Intrigued, he approached a barbecue stall and settled into a
plastic chair.
The stall owner observed Bradley, noting his discreet wealth despite the absence of logo-covered attire.
“Dear, we’ve got a customer,” the stall owner announced.
The stall owner’s wife promptly removed her plastic gloves, retrieving paper and a pen from her apron. She handed
Bradley a laminated menu with a warm smile.
“Sir, this is our menu. Take a look at what you’d like to eat.”
Bradley’s upbringing seldom exposed him to this kind of food. He might not have taken a seat if the roadside
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtbarbecue stall hadn’t appeared clean and hygienic.
“I’m alone. Just serve me what you see fit.”
“Do you have any dietary restrictions?” she asked.
“None.”
With a basket for picking, the wife selected various skewers from a nearby freezer and put them on a plate. After
the stall owner grilled the skewers, she then arranged them on a plate for Bradley.
Bradley paused. “What’s this?”
“Salted peanuts and salted edamame. Want a beer?” she offered.
“Sure.”
She promptly fetched a bottle of beer.
At a nearby table, office workers enjoyed barbecue and beer, venting frustrations about a boss known for empty
promises without tangible rewards.
Patrons from nearby establishments, such as bars, continually approached the stall to place orders. Amid the
bustling activity, the stall owners, a busy husband and wife, engaged in affectionate conversation while efficiently
serving their patrons.
Once the barbecued food was ready, Bradley, enticed by the aroma, savored this popular street food.
Possibly due to his limited exposure to such cuisine, the experience felt and distinctly special.
The spices tantalized his taste buds, and he gradually immersed himself in the pleasure of the food.
“Enjoying it?” the wife asked with a smile. “My husband’s barbecued food is the best.”
“That’s your opinion,” the stall owner humbly replied.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe wife checked with the other patrons. “Is the barbecue delicious?”
“Delicious! You weren’t here a while ago, and our overtime felt tasteless,” a patron exclaimed.
The wife explained they had gone back home because an elderly family member was ill.
Through their casual conversation, Bradley learned that the couple was from out of town. They used to work as a
security guard and a nanny and later started this barbecue stall.
They had two children, a son and a daughter, who were cared for by their grandparents in their hometown when
they were younger. With the older child beginning school, the family had relocated to Capitus for the children’s
education.
Bradley, who had never truly comprehended marriage, felt a twinge of sadness listening to the couple’s reflections
on matrimony.
Before he had learned to be a husband, he had lost her. For this lifetime, he could never find her again. He had
forever lost her.
Even in her passing, she never received a heartfelt apology from him! Regrettably, even if he desired to apologize
to Esther now, she would never hear it.
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